This is what you see along the St. Patrick's Day parade route--no matter where you are.
Although St. Patrick’s Day is almost two weeks away, we’re partying like it’s March 17 this week. All week.
Expected rain is postponing the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day parade until the end of the month (boo!). But somehow, we think that this weekend’s planned pub crawl will be going on as scheduled. The Erin Express heads out at noon on Saturday to and from a variety of Philadelphia bars and Irish pubs. We’re happy you won’t be driving, but we do hope you won’t be drinking till you puke because, eww.
Also on Saturday:
The annual Grand Marshal’s Ball for the Conshy Parade. Meet and greet Jim Flood at the Jeffersonville Golf Club Banquet Hall.
One of our favorite musicians, Seamus Kelleher, will be performing at 3 PM at Paddy Whacks in Philadelphia.
It’s Celtic Kilt night at the Northampton Valley Country Club in Richboro. Wear yours.
Also in Bucks County, check out singer-guitarist Mary Courtney of the trad band Morning Star at the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol.
In Jersey, the Gloucester County AOH is holding its St. Patrick’s Day Party—everyone is welcome.
On Sunday:
A very special event is planned for the afternoon at Glen Foerd on the Delaware on Grant Avenue in Philadelphia. The musical duo of Timlin and Kane will perform and you can enjoy a Ploughman’s Lunch and Irish coffee at this mansion, the last surviving riverfront estate in the city. The program will honor the many Irish men and women who worked on the riverfront estates in Torresdale. You must reserve a spot.
The film, “Settling Down,” about a group of Irish travelers, will be screened at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. Read our interview with Joseph Lennon, director of the Villanova Irish Studies Program, who will be speaking after the viewing.
The biggest and arguably best of all the Philly St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraisers is scheduled for 3 PM at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Delaware County. In the past years, more than 700 people have showed up for this one.
And even though they were killed in their first two games, the Irish Network-Philly soccer players will be back at Star Finders to take on The Ugly Moose team in 7-A-Side.
Enter the Haggis, the amazing Canadian Celtic rockers, are on the bill at World Café Live Sunday evening.
On Wednesday:
Super trad group Altan will be performing at Sellersville Theatre at 8 PM.
On Thursday:
In the morning, there’s the annual wreath-laying at the Irish Patriots memorial at Philadelphia City Hall by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a group that dates back to Revolutionary War times and counts our first president among its members. Afterwards, Mayor Michael Nutter will officially proclaim March “Irish month” in the city.
In the evening, the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance committee will honor Grand Marshal John Dougherty and the Ring of Honor at a dinner at the Doubletree Hotel on Broad Street.
Also this evening, Ireland’s National Concert Hall will presents its first ever lifetime achievement award to Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains at a gala event at the Union League, hosted by the American Ireland Fund. The Emerald Society Pipe band will be playing!
On Friday:
Hold on to your hats, folks. This is one full day. Here’s how it starts:
The remains of the 57 bodies of Irish immigrants recovered from the Duffy’s Cut archeological site will be laid to rest Friday afternoon—more than 150 years after they died—at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd. Interestingly, recent research suggests that the Duffy of Duffy’s Cut may be buried in the cemetery at St. Anne’s Parish in Philadelphia. Pastor Father Ed Brady told us that records are being combed to pinpoint the gravesite.
A real treat: Raymond Coleman is joined by his brother, Mickey, at the Plough and the Stars in Philadelphia. Each of the Coleman brothers is amazing alone. Together, wow.
Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys will be on hand at The Showboat Casino in Philadelphia to “meet and greet” to raise money the The Claddagh Fund, his charity which is now dedicated to funding nonprofits in Philadelphia.
Black 47, whose front man Larry Kirwan is not only a musician but a playwright and author, will be at World Café Live.
And Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains, fresh from their lifetime achievement award, will be performing at the Kimmel Center.
If you’re anywhere near Carlisle, Pa, catch Dervish with opening act, Philly’s own John Byrne Band. Byrne is also opening for The Saw Doctors when they come to the TLA in Philly on March 13. And he’s got a deal for you. Order Saw Doctors tickets through him and you get $10 off. Doesn’t get much better. Email him at j-kbyrne@msn.com.
Jamison will also be performing at Kildare’s in Manayunk.
Next week: Get your shamrock deely bobbers out, folks! There are three pub crawls (in Philly and Delco) and three, count them, three parades, including Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Conshohocken. And even more stuff which we’ll tell you about next week. Or, if you can’t wait, check out our calendar. It’s so big, we may need a second website.
